A luxury yacht associated with a sanctioned Russian billionaire has navigated through the Strait of Hormuz amidst Iran’s closure of the waterway.

The vessel, known as Nord and reportedly linked to Russian magnate Alexey Mordashov, traveled through the strait over the weekend, departing from Dubai and arriving in Muscat. This rare passage occurred despite heightened tensions between the US and Iran impacting global shipping routes. The superyacht, valued at over £368 million, made the journey, which has seen significantly reduced traffic due to Iran’s restrictions since February.

The approval process for Nord to pass through the strait remains undisclosed. While most ships have been avoiding the route, some commercial carriers have been permitted to travel through. The yacht’s connection to Mordashov, a figure with close ties to Putin, has drawn attention, although he is not officially listed as the owner.

Following the recent Iran war outbreak and subsequent sanctions on Mordashov, the situation in the region has intensified. The US has implemented a blockade on Iranian ports, affecting maritime activities. Moreover, Iran’s Foreign Minister visited Russia for discussions with President Vladimir Putin, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts.

As the standoff persists, Trump has expressed reservations about Iran’s proposed peace deal, postponing nuclear talks until further progress is made. The proposed agreement prioritizes reopening the Strait of Hormuz before addressing nuclear-related matters, prompting mixed reactions from involved parties.